Short notice departures from the shuttle bay were not unexpected upon the Enterprise, though the limited number that took place meant that systems were not as streamlined as the Captain would like. Needless to say – organised chaos was the sight Jim Kirk was greeted with as he entered the shuttle bay to say goodbye to Spock.
'I would have thought this would have been sorted by now", he grumbled loudly, stepping over cabling running from the bulkhead.
"Jim, the crew had about two hours notice, I'm surprised things are as far advanced as they are" McCoy walking behind him commented on the confusion. He had chosen to accompany the Captain; curious to see Spock after Kirk had recalled earlier events. "He really seems to be on some mission about this, I cant think that's its totally self motivated. He is an irritating son of a … but he's not malicious or self serving"
"I agree Bones, that's why I'm at a loss, it's not like him and for whatever reason he's not ready to talk about it"
"Ha, when is he ever"
Kirk slapped McCoy's arm "too true Bones, too true"
"So where is he?"
"Over there, talking to…hell …looks like he's talking to Christine"
"What!"
Both stopped walking dead in their tracks. Moving slightly out of sight they watched the interaction between the two.
"I feel like a kid in a playground", McCoy whispered from the side of his mouth.
"I feel like an idiot, but there's something I'm not getting, and I want to know what it is".
Since her return from Vulcan, Christine had taken to wearing her hair down. In a practical sense there was no logic that she could see, as it often caused more difficulties than convenience, however she seemed reluctant to return it to the elaborate poses of before.
She had found herself in the shuttle bay, flicking a particularly recalcitrantpiece of hair from her eyes.
"Nurse Chapel may I be of assistance?"
Christine had walked purposively from sickbay with only the shuttle bay in her mind as a final destination. She knew she needed to be there, not wanted but needed, though for the life of her she couldn't remember why.
"Mr Spock, no I don't think so – I'm just a bit, its silly, not sure why I am here" she was confused, and now with Spock's acknowledgement of her presence, embarrassed.
"I am sure there was a purpose Nurse, at times I too forget the original cause of action"
"I find that highly unlikely Mr Spock", her lips curved upward briefly, then concern overcame her "Mr Spock – what happened?"
Spock followed her eyes to his neck; small scratch marks, he had attempted to hide, had exposed themselves above his shirt.
"It is of no consequence Nurse, I believe the marks were self inflicted during the evening, perhaps during sleep. I have little memory of their origin. I do not, however, require medical attention"
"How weird I had a dream last night I..", remembering the content of the evening before, Christine quickly haltered her reminiscence of events.
"The shuttle appears to be ready" Spock broke her thoughts.
"I apologise, I have taken up your time Sir, for no reason"
"There is no need to apologise as no harm has been undertaken"
Christine lowered her head briefly, the errant hair falling again across her face. His hand instinctively moved upward, brushing it behind her ear. In action without thought she raised her own hand to touch the four exposed marks, placing a finger against each. He didn't move, his fingers lightly playing across her cheek. He stepped forward slightly, standing over her, causing her hand to press gently into his skin.
Both the Captain and Commanding Medical Officer leaned forward witnessing the scene before them.
"You don't see that often", McCoy commented, Kirk scratched his chin in response.
"Could we have missed something Bones?"
"Like what? Like you think something might actually be going on between those two?"
"It would explain Spock's behaviour"
"Jim the ships not that big, I think we would know if they were…well if they were… well you know"
"Yes, yes of course we would know, how could we not know?" The two continued to watch, choosing the appropriate time to interrupt.
A rush of red to her cheeks exposed Christine's realisation at her response.
"Oh Mr Spock, I really am sorry", she fumbled backwards, almost falling into the bulkhead.
"There is no harm" a lengthy pause followed, then a clearly considered response "Christine"
Her eyes widened, a memory, vague, ran before her, teasing her – like a child in a game.
"I…I must go Mr Spock" she backed away, though unable to remove her eyes from his. He watched her as she made her way to the doors. She turned only at the last moment to flee.
"Spock – all packed?" McCoy yelled across the floor.
The doors closed behind her, she heard nothing as she ran the length of the corridor, shorts pants of breath verging on hyperventilation.
Why did she respond to her commanding officer like that?
What possessed him to call her by her first name?
Her head pounded. It was wrong and yet the whole interaction with Spock felt intimately natural.
"This is impossible" she thought to herself between laboured breaths, "I barely know him".
